Protesters ask Pitts, Gerlach to support gun measure

Tom Buglio of Chester County Coalition to End Gun Violence holds up a newspaper to show the recent gun violence that has happened in the district of U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach during a rally outside of the congressman’s office in Uwchlan on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.
Staff photo by Vinny Tennis

UWCHLAN – Protesters gathered at the offices of two Chester County congressmen Wednesday seeking support for a gun control measure.

Roughly 30 volunteers from the group Organizing for Action gathered in front of Rep. Jim Gerlach’s central Chester County office to speak out against gun violence and ask Gerlach to co-sponsor the gun violence prevention bill H.R. 1565.

“Right now we are asking members of congress to support H.R. 1565 and to bring to the floor the bill that would expand background checks and close the gun-show loophole,” said MaryAnn Piccioni of the Chester County East Chapter of Organizing for Action. “It’s important to let Congress see that these kinds of issues matter to grass-roots organizations.”

The Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013, or H.R. 1565, was introduced in April to the House of Representatives. According to Organizing for Action, it is a bipartisan gun violence prevention bill that will expand the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales, including those at gun shows, as well as improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill.

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The event Wednesday was held at congressional members’ offices throughout the state. The group gathered around noon, with volunteers taking turns speaking about how gun violence affected their lives. Additionally, Tom Buglio from the Chester County Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence spoke briefly about the coalition and the impact of gun violence in Chester County.

One resident spoke in front of the group, saying “this is the problem with this country. It’s awash with weapons. There are too many guns in too many places with too little instruction and too little inspection.”

At 12:25 p.m. each group that had gathered around Pennsylvania, about 15 in total, held hands “to symbolize solidarity in effort to advance gun violence prevention policies against gun violence,” according to organization.

Photos were then taken of the volunteers holding hands outside of Gerlach’s Chester County office. Leaders said a computer-generated image will be created that combines photos of volunteers holding hands from each of the groups around the state.

Organizing for Action said the linking of hands in Pennsylvania was inspired by the “Hands Across America” campaign of 1986, where millions joined hands in a display of social justice. The group called Wednesday’s event “Hands Across PA.”

The group also held a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m, which was done simultaneously across Pennsylvania as well.

Many at the event also spoke of the importance, and the problems, of trying to speak to congressional members.

“I’m just outraged,” said Liz Madden of West Chester. “I’ve been trying to speak with Gerlach for months. It’s outrageous. We vote to send him to Washington and we want him to talk to us and address these kinds of issues.”

The Chester County Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence also said that the group has been trying to schedule a meeting with Gerlach for “six months” without any luck. On Wednesday, Gerlach was not at the Chester County office where the event was held and representatives in the office said he was unavailable for comment.

A similar demonstration was held in front of the East Marlborough office of U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts, R-16th, where about 20 participants also asked the congressman to co-sponsor the bill.

Joe Kowalksi of Landenberg said he wrote to Pitts asking him to support background checks for gun buyers, but said he has received no response.

“(Legislators) need to take action so that people who shouldn’t have guns don’t get them,” he said. “I own weapons but don’t have any assault weapons. There is no reason for anyone to have an assault weapon.”

Patrick Seylor of Kennett Square said he was protesting because too many people are dying from gun violence.

“I’ve lived in other countries where people don’t have guns and have no need for guns,” he said. “There’s no need for people to arm themselves to the teeth to protect themselves from an unknown foreign force.”

John Beer, who picketed with his wife Fran, said background checks for gun purchasers, especially at gun shows, is common sense.

“We’re not here saying people shouldn’t have guns,” he said. “We’re saying that background checks are essential to the safety of the American people.”

Harold Leonard of Parkesburg, who said he lost two brothers to gun violence, urged Pitts to reverse his stand on gun control.

“I feel very strongly about this issue,” he said. “Nobody is going after responsible gun owners, or hunters, but there is no need for assault weapons or guns with 30-round clips.”

Rhett Lipscomb, who helped to organize the rally, said background checks will alleviate crime all over the nation.

“I’m tired of reading about kids and adults being killed by guns,” she said.

Pitts said he plans to meet with the protesters.

“I believe we should do what we can to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, while making sure that law-abiding Americans can exercise their constitutional rights,” he said. “The group of constituents who were outside my office today did not leave information on the specific proposals they are pushing for, but I have a meeting scheduled with some of them next week. I look forward to our discussion.”

Organizing for Action, or OFA as it is commonly called, is a non-profit organization “dedicated to advancing the policies that the American people voted for in 2012.” According to a statement from the group, in six months more than 3.1 million volunteers nationwide have participated in OFA.

In addition to gun violence prevention, Piccioni added that the group is also working on other policies, such as women’s issues and immigration reform.